Plastic To Real

[alexdallimore]

I would like to move over to a real planted tank. I am after plants that will grow mainly as a backdrop. I was thinking something like amazon sword. I would also like something that would grow to the surface or a surface plant growong down so my panchaz have something to mess around in. I still want to be able to clean my gravel each week of fish poo so don't want delicate plants that will die when I vacuum the gravel. I am more into the fish than the plants so want easy to keep plants. This is why so far I have plastic. Any ideas would be appriciated as I don't have much idea of plants. Tank pic is included to help with ideas.

PS the heater is no longer in view for those who are about to suggest to move it.

Cheers

 

[George Farmer]

Vallisneria spiralis may be an option. It does not need much light, doesn't require CO2 injection or a super-rich substrate (although it will do better). It prefers harder water.

If it grows well it will soon reach the surface and provide shelter etc. for the fish, it will also send out runner and quickly cover your desired area.

 

[nry]

I was going to suggest vallis myself...

Once rooted-in it won't be bothered much by cleaning the gravel, though for whatever reason (plants, fish shrimps etc) my 6 month old tank barely has anything sucked up from the gravel when I clean the tank out. I used to get loads, but now it seems to be non-existent. I have a pretty well stocked tank aswell!

 

[alexdallimore]

That sounds good. I like the fact it seems not to need much work. Any others to add variety? or even colour?

 

[alexdallimore]

Do I need to change my gravel? Its not the really fine stuff as you can see in my pics. How deep does it need to be? I'm thinking of vallis, hygrophila and amazon sword. Any suggestions?

 

[SnoutUK]

One thing i notice about your picture is your heater, you really should have it at an angle. At the moment heat from your heater is rising upwards and turning the thermostat off prematurly, thus causing the water to not be quite at the right temperature. Im not saying that its wrong to have it upright, its just a little hint for you!